Shakira to sing Brazil 2014 anthem at World Cup's Maracana final

Believe it or not, one person who everyone was talking about after Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull and Brazil's Claudia Leitte's performance at the FIFA World Cup 2014 opening ceremony was Shakira!

Yes, you read that right.

JLo and Pitbull's official world cup song 'Ole Ola' did not receive the kind of enthusiasm that Shakira's 'Waka Waka' number had generated four years back.

While those inside the stadium were able to enjoy Lopez singing, the experience of many at home was hampered by “appalling” sound quality, which left the voices of the singers sounding faint and “tinny”.

Twitteratis especially went overboard while displaying their emotions at apparently a 'bad' performance by JLo and Pitbull and urged to have Shakira back next time.

And the officials heard the fan's plea.

Pop star Shakira will perform before the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on July 13, headlining a closing ceremony that includes guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana and rapper Wyclef Jean.

Shakira, who is making her third straight World Cup appearance, will sing "La la la (Brazil 2014)" with Brazilian star Carlinhos Brown, FIFA said in a statement on Wednesday.

Santana, Wyclef and Brazilian singer Alexandre Pires will perform the tournament's official anthem, "Dar Um Jeito" at the legendary Maracana Stadium.

Pires will also perform a medley of local music with Brazilian star Ivete Sangalo.

"I'm thrilled to be performing my song 'La la la (Brazil 2014)' at the 2014 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony," said Shakira, who had a son last year with Spain defender Gerard Pique.

"I have an intricate relationship with football for obvious reasons, and I truly understand what the World Cup means to so many people, myself included."

While FIFA announced the musical lineup, eight teams are left battling for two spots at the Maracana, but defending champions Spain were already eliminated in the group phase.

Shakira's native Colombia will play Brazil in the quarter-final on Friday following France-Germany. On Saturday, Argentina play Belgium followed by Netherlands-Costa Rica.

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